Jan Breughel the Younger

Anonymous sale, London, Christie's, 30 May 1980, lot 46, for £6,000;
Anonymous sale, Paris, Tajan, 28 June 1996, lot 59, for FF 160,000.

K. Ertz, Jan Brueghel der Jüngere, Freren 1984, pp. 53, 78, 498, no. 327, reproduced.

The painting is cooler in tone and less red in colour than the catalogue illustration. The large signed canvas has a modern relining which has not over flattened the painting, and is offered in a modern painted gold frame in good condition. To the naked eye the painting appears under a yellow varnish and the painted surface appears secure. The darker tones of the areas in the lower section, and centre left of the painting are a little abraded and sunken. Some discoloured re-touching’s can be made out in these areas as well as in some areas of the sky and in the darker tones of the trees. Inspection under UV confirms the aforementioned re-touching’s and further re-touching’s in the water lower centre and lower left and in some darker tones in the ducks. The lighter tones of the sky, trees and background are better preserved.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Dated by Ertz to the 1640s.